CPS Fire Behavior and Combustion

Question 1

What are the three elements of the fire triangle?

Accepted Answer

Fuel, oxygen, and heat

Answer

The fire triangle consists of fuel, oxygen, and heat — all three must be present simultaneously for combustion to occur.

Question 2

Which phase of combustion produces the visible flames seen during a structural fire?

Accepted Answer

Free-burning phase

Answer

The free-burning phase is characterized by visible, active flames and rapid consumption of available fuel and oxygen.

Question 3

What is flashover in a structure fire?

Accepted Answer

The near-simultaneous ignition of all exposed combustible surfaces in a compartment

Answer

Flashover occurs when radiant heat raises all combustible surfaces in a compartment to their ignition temperature, causing near-simultaneous ignition.

Question 4

Which type of heat transfer occurs when heat moves through a material by direct molecular contact?

Accepted Answer

Conduction

Answer

Conduction is heat transfer through direct molecular contact within or between materials, such as heat traveling through a metal door handle.

Question 5

At approximately what oxygen concentration (by volume) will most fires self-extinguish?

Accepted Answer

15%

Answer

Most fires cannot sustain combustion when oxygen concentration drops to approximately 15% or below, making oxygen removal an effective suppression strategy.

CPS Firefighter Test Practice Test

CPS Firefighter Test Practice Test

CPS Fire Behavior and Combustion